Description
Baked Penne | Cheesy Oven-Baked Pasta Casserole is a delightful meal combining al dente pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese. Perfect for a quick family dinner or a cozy night in, this dish serves up comfort and flavor for everyone.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 2 teaspoon olive oil, or cooking oil of choice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup shallots, (or onions) minced
- 12 oz italian sausage, removed from casing
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
- pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- ¾ cup low fat (2%) cottage cheese, small curds
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- chopped italian parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta shells to al dente according to package directions, then drain and let cool.
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat, then add garlic and shallots, cooking until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Italian sausage to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces and draining any excess fat.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes, adjusting seasoning to taste. Let the sauce cool for 15 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, cooled sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella cubes until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, topping with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, then broil for 30-45 seconds to brown the top. Allow to stand for 5-8 minutes before serving and garnish with parsley.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute sausage with a plant-based alternative or additional vegetables.
Feel free to customize the cheese blend with your favorites, like cheddar or provolone.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg